By Brian Mumahan, American Red Cross Public Affairs

KISSIMMEE, FL. - Like many in central Florida, Susan Matthews and her husband Kevin Posternail have been through this before, but that doesn’t make it easier.

“During Hurricane Charley, we stayed in our house and the roof came off,” said Matthews. “We ended up losing so much, but Hurricane Ian is much worse.”

This time the couple left their Good Samaritan community before the storm, taking refuge first in an evacuation center and now at a Red Cross shelter at the Kissimmee Civic Center. “We can’t find a hotel room that we can afford,” Matthews told Janis Moran, executive director for the Greater Orlando Chapter of the American Red Cross.

“I need my medication and other medical devices,” shared Matthews. Moran assured her that the Red Cross would help her replace her medication and other needed equipment. In addition to providing shelter, a cot to sleep on, food and comfort, the Red Cross helps shelter residents engage with the many organizations that will be needed to help them get back to the lives they want to lead.

Last week the couple returned to their neighborhood only to see water from the Shingles Creek rising into their yard and almost covering the fire hydrant at the street and took photos of the water entering the house.

“What’s worse is that we know that the power was turned off to the sewage system, so real soon, the sewage will overflow into the water and into our homes.”

The couple is also worried that their month-to-month lease will be canceled, and they may be left homeless with virtually no possessions. They, along with almost 250 residents of the area in the shelter, were eagerly looking forward to talking with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) about the next steps.

“The Red Cross is here with our residents to make sure they have what they need to be safe tonight and into the future,” said Moran. “We have great partners like the Salvation Army who are providing food services and Osceola County who are running the pet intake program ensuring all of our residents have a place for their pets as well.”